Morgan Carter

Even our culture editor admits that Bushwick is "one of the most polarizing neighborhoods in New York City." Once a hub for all things hipster (and really, still is, just with different terminology), Bushwick is the industrial hub most commonly known for its thumpin' nightlife scene. Yet when the music cuts and the lights flicker on, the neighborhood has plenty to explore in the eating-and-drinking department. Bushwick is home to some of the best New York pizza and stellar international food—including one of the top Ethiopian restaurants in the city. These are the best Bushwick restaurants, that are perfect for kicking a night into high-gear. RECOMMENDED: Best restaurants in NYC

If you’re looking for the best things to do in NYC this week, or even for today, there are tons of fun options, including The Gates augmented reality experience, a tortilla making class at Ánimo, Mondays in the Club with Lance, Legends of Leyenda, and awesome free events in NYC! For more ideas, scroll down to see this week's best things to do in NYC. RECOMMENDED: Full list of the best things to do in New York Stay in the Loop: Sign up for our free weekly newsletter to get the latest in New York City news, culture and dining. 

Time Out Market New York is buzzing with activity, from phenomenal food and drinks to fun parties to keep you rolling through the cooler months. The market has an ongoing happy hour from 4 to 7pm during the week (what’s not to love about $6 select draught beers, $9 specialty cocktails and $8 select wines?), but there’s much more going on. The market has a daily Bottomless Brunch! For $65, you’ll receive a $35 TOM Card toward the meal of your choice from the market’s concessions and you can choose from Bottomless mimosas and bellinis from noon to 3pm. Below is the current schedule of events at Time Out Market New York!

Finding the best hotel in NYC to stay at, whether on a trip here or a staycation, is paramount. Yes, you’ll likely be out and about and the hotel simply serves as a place to lay your head, but a good hotel can make or break your time in the city. New York prides itself on its hospitality and that is pretty clearly evidenced by its best hotels. Every kind of traveler can find their perfect holiday haven in this glorious city, from sleek boutique hotels in the city’s trendiest neighborhoods to opulent luxury stays near the top NYC attractions. You’ll even find some of the best spas and restaurants tucked inside their lobbies. Whether you’re a first-time visitor to the Big Apple or a local craving an inner-city staycation, these properties take the cake when it comes to hospitality and hotel perks. Cue room service. February 2025 update: We have completely revamped our list by visiting dozens of hotels across NYC, most recently, the Carlyle. So know that when you’re reading this list, you’re getting the most up-to-date information. 🇺🇸 Click here to view our full guide to the best things to do in NYC🏨 Discover the best cheap hotels in NYC🌉 Explore the coolest Airbnbs in Brooklyn💗 Book one of the best boutique hotels in NYC Who makes the cut? While we might not stay in and review every hotel featured, we've based our list on our expert knowledge of the destination covered, editorial reviews, user reviews, hotel amenities, and in-depth research to find you the best stays.

New York City's brilliant Black community is constantly making this town one of the best places to live, creating incredible spaces for culture and art to flourish and opening expertly crafted restaurants and bars. If you're looking for a way to support Black-owned businesses, these amazing restaurants created, owned and run by Black New Yorkers are an excellent place to start.  Updated February 2025: We've added A&A Bake Shop, Angel of Harlem, Brown Butter Craft Bar & Kitchen, Cuts & Slices, Datz's Deli, Dept of Culture, HAAM, Ramen By Ra, Red Rooster, Tatiana and Sugar Hill Creamery.

Choosing a favorite restaurant in New York City is a joyful task with myriad possibilities depending on the occasion, mood and even the time of year. Your favorite dive, fine dining destination and neighborhood favorite might all occupy top spots on your personal best list in spite of their disparate qualities.  Our list of NYC’s 50 best restaurants is the same, spanning each of those categories and more to comprise a catalogue of all the places we wish we were at right now. They don’t have to be the newest or the most recently reviewed, just places that we’ve been to and want to return to again and again, and that we think that you will, too.  RECOMMENDED: NYC’s best bars right now Updated February 2025: We added Theodora and San Sabino. We removed Sofreh and Cadence.  Note: Many of the city’s best chefs, restaurants and concepts have been welcomed into the Time Out Market. Because that is the highest honor we can award, establishments related to the market have not been ranked here, but you can see them below.  Stay in the Loop: Sign up for our free weekly newsletter to get the latest in New York City news, culture and dining.

Every drink seems ideal when you're at the perfect bar. Your dive’s beer is frosty, rooftops send you soaring toward the clouds and cocktail destinations shake and stir myriad ingredients into ideally calibrated glassware—leaps above what you try to craft at home. The options are unending, the ice is nicer and you aren’t just drinking, you’re at the spot.  Whether you're dabbling in low-ABV libations, making your way through dedicated martini menus or collecting passwords for pseudo speakeasies, there is an ideal location for every taste, tolerance and occasion. Find them among the 50 best bars in NYC right now. Updated February 2025: We added BierWax and Sip & Guzzle. We removed Bar Goto and Milady's. 

There are plenty of old school romantic restaurants in NYC—you know, the kind of place where you drop an engagement ring into a bubbly glass of Champagne—but there’s a whole new class of romance in the city, too. These spots are some of the best new restaurants, serving up incredible cocktails alongside inventive cooking. When you really need to impress your date, ditch the sweatpants and your regular pizza meet or night at the local dive bar and make it a night to remember. Start by scoring the reservation (crucial), then eat your way through a menu made for sharing. Only then can you pop the question…or apologize for that thing you did.  Whether you’re looking for an old school, Lady-and-the-Tramp-style Italian classic, a French feeling of amour sans fin or a table at one of the buzziest new restaurants in NYC, we’ve made it easy for you to set the stage for romance. Order classic aphrodisiacs like oysters and red wine, or find a new way to fall in love with palm cakes, poached radishes and a baked Alaska for two.  RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best restaurants in NYC Updated as of January 2025: We added La Tete d'or, Le Crocodile, San Sabino and Theodora. 

Although you could walk its whole perimeter before your shoes start to pinch, it would take several trips around the sun to sample everything there is to eat in the East Village. So, we put on our shoes less likely to not kill our feet and got to stepping (and eating). Check out the best neighborhood staples and new restaurants and bars the East Village has to offer. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the East Village in NYC

It’s that time of year again, New York City sports fans! That’s right: the game of games, the last NFL matchup until kickoff next September: Super Bowl Sunday is nigh.  This year’s contest will be fought in New Orleans, and, with a little planning, you can party like a pro in NYC, too, with wings, beer and nachos. If you're not into hosting or staying in, below, you’ll find recommendations for where to watch the Super Bowl at 6:30pm EST on February 9, with selections that suit every taste, in whichever borough you call home.  RECOMMENDED: Find more on the Super Bowl in NYC

New York City Restaurant Week’s winter edition is back! More than 500 restaurants are offering special pre fixe specials citywide from January 21 to February 9. This year’s price points are $30, $45 and $60 for brunch, lunch and dinner menus on the days of each venue’s choosing. With so many sensational spots, and so little time to taste them all, it can be hard to narrow the field. Luckily, we've have thumbed through the list and highlighted the top options to snag that reservation. And if you are still looking for more, we have a guide of must visit places, specific to Brooklyn. Check out the best places to visit and everything to order during NYC Restaurant Week this winter. Updated January 21: We added information for deals at Alice and Time & Tide. 

New York City’s dim sum scene has spread far from Manhattan’s Chinatown. While Mott Street is where you can still find some of New York’s very best Chinese restaurants, the Chinatowns in Flushing and Sunset Park–and beyond–offer some of the very best dim sum in the city. Whether you’re meeting up with a big group of friends or taking family out to see the sights, sipping tea and gorging on an endless array of dim sum is one of the best ways to spend a weekend morning or afternoon in NYC.  Some dim sum restaurants use the iconic rolling carts to serve all those jiggling dumplings, pork buns and turnip cakes through chandeliered halls, while others offer counter service and even delivery for a little dim sum in bed on a Sunday morning. With spots including a hundred-year-old restaurant on Doyers and the world’s most inexpensive Michelin-starred restaurant, we’ve rounded up the very best dim sum in NYC to try right now. RECOMMENDED: Find more of the best restaurants in NYC Updated January 2025: We added Bamboo Garden and Jing Fong. 

Picture it: a head-to-head chef cook-off, a mystery bag of ingredients and a winner-take-all cash prize. No, this isn't Chopped, this is Midnight Honey. Billed as the "underground version of Top Chef," Midnight Honey is a cooking competition found right here in the city. Since March of 2024, the pop-up has pitted some of New York's finest chefs against each other for a live cook-off event. So how does it work? Each team is given a bag of mystery ingredients and is tasked with cooking up an appetizer and entree within a set period of time. Attendees will get a chance to try all courses from each team and vote for their favorite. The winning duo will receive a cash prize of $500. Past participants have included Giovanni Cervantes and Tania Apolinar of Carnitas Ramirez, Orion Russell of Greenpoint Fish & Lobster Co and Christopher Martin of CMarty's Jerk. While we can't tell you quite where the event will be on February 22, who the chefs will be or what will be cooked, we can tell you to book tickets now to get a front-row seat to the action.  

East meets West in Hudson Square. Translating to “hope” in Japanese, Kiko comes from a husband-and-wife team sommelier Lina Goujjane (Sushi Noz and Momofuku Group) and chef Alex Chang (Michelin-starred Pujol and Il Buco Alimentari). What started as a pop-up in L.A. is now housed in a seriously beautiful restaurant in Hudson Square, with handsome wood interiors and a fireplace for gathering. As for the offerings, Kiko continues to tell the story of Chang’s global influences rooted in his Asian heritage. 

After cheffing with Jean-Georges for five years, Andrés Galindo Maria was ready to tour new cuisines around the world. However, the COVID-19 pandemic stalled his plans, and soon Maria found himself in his hometown of Puebla. Yet, his time connected to the land and his roots sprouted his next business idea, specifically, the business of birria. Word soon caught on of his birria and fatty consomme broth in Bushwick, causing lines down the block. Four locations later, chef Maria is now known as "the Birria Taco King of Brooklyn"—a title he has worn oh so very well.  

The best thing about New York is that unassuming buildings house secrets that you may pass by without blinking an eye. Mao Mao is one of those places. Once you step inside, you'll know there is plenty of fun to be had at this neon-red lit drinking den with its pull-down projector that screens throw-back Thai films and a parked tuk-tuk among it all. Drinking snacks include lemongrass peanuts and fried chicken wings and homemade sour laab chili powder in a cup that is best enjoyed with a little shake. 

The Bronx's culinary diversity gets its rightful spotlight during this price-slashed, borough-specific restaurant week. From February 18 to February 25, more than 60 eateries will serve prix-fixe menus or discount eats to the masses for 2025 Savor the Bronx. Snack your way through Latin cuisines from picadillo, ropa vieja and other Cuban classics at Havana Café to Chicharron de Pollo at Made In Puerto Rico Latin Cuisine. Tap into the borough’s rich Italian history at red-sauce standbys like Da Franco and Tony Ristorante and Emilia's Restaurant, or dive into the cuisine of the Mediterranean at Artie’s Steak & Seafood. Thirsty? Throwback beers at the venerable Bronx Beer Hall or the home to all things baseballe, Yankee Tavern.  

After a bit of a hiatus, Laab Bar is back in action. From the team behind Kru—our best Thai restaurant of 2025—the pop-up is all about Thai-Isan-inspired drinking food with a focus on laab, the iconic dish made up of ground meat and herbs. For its first event of 2025, the pop-up will be taking over the Brooklyn restaurant for the evening.  Priced at $45 per person, the dinner set will feature a Thai grilled set with salad and sticky rice. As for a pairing, the restaurant will be showcasing three sakes from notable women in the industry, for $35 more. But, if you book the dinner set through BlackBird, you can enjoy the sake flight for free.   

Sister to Hart's, The Fly and Cervo's, Eel Bar is getting all the attention, like the baby of the family should. The bar's interior reads like your cool uncle's downstairs basement in the 80s, with heavy woods, mirrors and neon lights that power the whole thing. While Cervo's travels through the Iberian peninsula, Eel Bar journeys through Basque country and Southern France via pintxos, wines by the glass and vermouth to match. 

The most romantic day of the year is almost here or at least that is what my emails tell me. But looking past the commercialism of it all, the tragically large Teddy bears, fake roses and chalky candy hearts that are downright disgusting (my opinion, of course), we want to bring Valentine's Day back to the basics—celebrating the day with the one you love. If you are looking for a casual night out with a touch of romance, Time Out Market New York is here for you and your sweetheart.   On Valentine's Day, Time Out Market is bringing the love. On Valentine's Day, the market is hosting a dinner just for the day. A section of the market will be quartered off and made more intimate with candlelit tables and music from award-winning violinist, Mapy the Violin Queen. Guests can sip on complimentary glasses of Champagne and dine on a variety of delicious options found with the market hall. Tickets include one glass of Champagne.

For Black History Month, Platform by JBF is honoring influential Black culinarians across the diaspora. Closing out the end of the month, the pop-up event space is hosting a dinner celebrating legends that have helped shape the culinary scene. Chef and cookbook author Ashleigh Shanti has been exploring African foods in the Appalachian region, notably at Asheville's Benne on Eagle. A 2020 James Beard Award nominee for Rising Star Chef of the Year and a 2025 semifinalist for Best Chef: South, chef Shanti released a cookbook in 2024, Our South Black Food Through My Lens. Inspired by the learnings of her studies, for the dinner, chef Shanti will trace the culinary journey of a fellow trailblazer, Malinda Russell. A Black Appalachian woman, Russell was the first known African American cookbook author. Shanti will recreate Russell's dishes from her 1866 cookbook, A Domestic Cookbook, and sommelier Cha McCoy will be providing wine pairings for the evening. Shanti’s cookbook will also be available for purchase. Tickets are $175 in the dining room; $190 at the chef's counter in the interior; and $155 at the external chef's counter.

Regardless of the temps outside, winter in New York is still magical. Don't believe us? Experience the beauty of the season for yourself at this one-of-a-kind winter wonderland. This month, Somewhere Nowhere is giving us reason to venture out in the snow. During the month of February, the nightclub is transforming its rooftop bar into a winter retreat. Reserve a heated teardrop igloo with you and your boo (or your best crew), and enjoy Champagne, cocktails and small bites all within view of the NYC skyline. Still a bit chilly? Cozy up with warm fur blankets, plush loveseats and a built-in fireplace. Book an igloo for up to two people for $200 or bring five of your closest for $300. Dates are still available for February 11, February 13, February 20, February 21, February 27 and February 28. Book it now!

As reported last week month, one of Brooklyn’s best cocktail bars, Leyenda, is closing its doors. While there are still talks of the bar coming back in some form or fashion, the original cocktail bar will be closing its doors on March 28. But that's not to say they won't be leaving without a bang.  In its last few weeks of business, Leyenda is inviting some of its favorite talent back for Legends of Leyenda. Leading up to the final day, familiar faces from Leyenda's 10-year run will be back behind the bar once again for one night only. So come raise a glass and say "farewell" to one of Brooklyn's finest. Legends of Leyenda calendar February 10: Ryan Liloia February 18: Nik Sparks February 25: Alisha Neverson March 3: Jesse Harris and Garret Borgeson March 11: Leanne Favre March 19: Ivy Mix March 28: Final Day

In 2019, I finally made the move to New York, arriving on a Wednesday. But by Friday, I was on a Megabus on my way to Philadelphia for work. Stepping off the bus in the Rittenhouse neighborhood with its bevy of restaurants and bars, tree-lined green spaces and history tucked in every corner, I couldn’t help but think, “Oh, maybe I should’ve moved to Philly.” Yet, I was only in town for a handful of days, most of them working, so I had too little time to really explore my surroundings. I told myself that when I returned, I would give myself the time to dive into the history of it all. I was lucky enough to do so at The Rittenhouse Hotel.  The 118-guest room and 27-suite hotel sits at the edge of the historic Rittenhouse Square. Before it became the hotel, the location lived many lives, first a mansion owned by A.J. Cassatt, the president of the Pennsylvania Railroad, before he sold it to the Episcopal Church of Pennsylvania. The Academy of Notre Dame soon found a home here as well, serving Philadelphia’s young boys and girls. By the late 1960s, architect Donald Reiffut envisioned the design for the hotel, and after many years of construction (and quite a few delays), the hotel finally opened in 1989.  Its most notable element? The interlocking hexagonal design of the building. Almost honeycomb-like in fashion, the design is intentional, allowing for more viewing space of the park below. A marker of the hotel, this elemental design carries through the space, seen in metalworkin

The legacy of the Harlem Renaissance is still alive and well in Harlem. To this day, the neighborhood stands as an epicenter for Black culture, music and history. Landmarks including the Apollo Theater and Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture have stood the test of time and continue to inspire. Alongside them is an array of restaurants, bars and cultural hubs that speak to the area's past and present.  Looking to plan your visit? Here's how to spend a day in Black-owned Harlem: Get a midmorning coffee, and then some at The Oma, Shop II Coffee+ Lifestyle View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Oma,Shop I & II (Black.Black.Woman) (@the.oma.shop) Coffee and life’s comforts come together at The Oma. Both of Lizzy Okpo’s Harlem-based shops have coffee on order. In addition, The Oma Shop I (1707 Amsterdam Avenue) houses home goods while The Oma Shop II (2754 Frederick Douglass Boulevard), features wine with snacks and a hairdressing and braid studio that doubles as a DJ booth. There are plenty of seats near the rear of the space, ready for a mid-morning work session or a quiet place to nosh on their menu of citrus salads and tin fish platters.  Tour the local art scene with the Harlem Arts Stroll With a coffee in hand, now is the time to take in the culture. Luckily, Harlem Arts Stroll has done the hefty lifting for you. The guided art walk has curated several galleries, art spaces and organizations across the neighborhood, from 99th Street to 1

Raising a child is never easy. Doing it in NYC presents a new host of challenges. But of course, that’s not to say it isn’t worth it. Our city houses the best kids' playgrounds, indoor activities and family-friendly attractions. There are even kid-friendly Broadway shows so your little one pick up some culture early. And when it is all said and done, you can confidently say that you raised a New Yorker, and that's actually saying something here.  RECOMMENDED: The best things to do in Dumbo for families So if you are on the hunt for engaging, kid-friendly activities in Dumbo, look no further than Time Out Market New York. Throughout the year, our Market hosts several kid-friendly activities for all ages from storytimes and sing-a-longs to all-out dance parties enjoyable for all. Here are just a few offerings going on this month:  Suzi Shelton and Hopalong Andrew Live Photograph: Meredith-Zinner-Photography / courtesy Hopalong Andrew When: Sunday, February 23 at 10am.  What: For over a decade, award-winning singer Suzi Shelton has been creating music for kids, welcoming them to dance, sing and explore the world around them. Inviting elements of play with shakers and books, Shelton often brings along her special friends, such as Grey Squirrel and Cinnamon Bear, to further engage her audience. Each show ends with a disco party with bubbles, stickers and tons of hugs.  Register: Link Morning Storytime at Time Out Market When: Wednesday, February 26 from 10am-11:30pm (0-18 months

While my main beat is covering the best food and drink in the city, I have been known to “Live Más.” And yes, I am talking about Taco Bell. A go-to “drunchies” meal back in my college days, Taco Bell still has a weird soft spot in my heart and belly, especially when I try to relive my glory days of downing two gorditas in one sitting. This year, the “beloved” Mexican chain restaurant is turning 63 on March 21. Leading up to the big day, the eatery has partnered with Milk Bar for a limited-time dessert. View this post on Instagram A post shared by MILK BAR (@milkbarstore) Presenting The Milk Bar Birthday Cake Churros. Launching nationwide today, the churros are filled with birthday cake frosting and rolled in pink sprinkles. Priced at $2.99 for two churros and $1.99 for one, the churros will be available at Taco Bell’s around the country, while supplies last.   "For over 16 years, Milk Bar has been a part of so many people’s birthdays and special moments, so we were beyond excited when our friends at Taco Bell asked us if we were game to collab on another dessert to turn everyday moments into celebrations,” said Christina Tosi, chef and founder of Milk Bar, in an interview with People. “This treat has all the iconic birthday cake spirit (and flavor), deliciously and uniquely delivered in crispy churro form, and we can’t wait for you to try it." Of course, this isn’t the first time Taco Bell and Milk Bar have come together to create something sweet. In 2022, t

Yes, we know New York has some of the best bars and restaurants in the world—it’s kind of all that we talk about. However, the designation for being the best extends to what lies up north. While plenty of coverage focuses on what’s found within our concrete jungle, Westchester has much to discover, even more so thanks to USA Today.  On February 12, the outlet released its 2025 Restaurants of the Year ranking. The list celebrates “local flavors and stories, curated by reporters from across the country who know that a meal of Italian cuisine in Mamaroneck can be just as rewarding as one in Manhattan.” Of the 44 restaurants featured, an authentic Italian eatery in Westchester was named the state’s best.  According to USA Today, Augustine's Salumeria (213 Halstead Avenue, Mamaroneck, New York) is one the best restaurants in New York, chosen for its “farm-driven food and an emphasis on authentic Italian cooking.”   The destination is run by husband-and-wife team Marc Taxiera and Brianne Myers. With a background working at the Russian Tea Room and the now-closed Beppe, chef Taxiera shares his Italian heritage through imported meats and cheeses, housemade pasta and proteins sourced fresh from the market. Myers, who formerly worked at Eataly, BLT Steak and Loring Place, runs the front-of-house operations. While only two years old, the operation has received various nods from standout publications, including Wine Spectator and the Michelin Guide. Alongside salumi and the dramatic gril

“Let Me Tell You” is a series of columns from our expert editors about NYC living, including the best things to do, where to eat and drink, and what to see at the theater. They publish each Tuesday so you’re hearing from us each week. Last time, Food & Drink Editor Morgan Carter told us about her top restaurant openings to look out for in 2025. By the time the clock struck midnight on December 31, officially marking the top of the year, I was more than ready for my Dry January to begin. In my line of work, free alcohol is definitely a perk. Of course, I want to try your fermented pineapple spirit straight from the spigot, a vintage sparkling wine that was bottled the year I was born and a bone-marrow-washed martini, only if it's cold. But over the last seven months since I've started this role, I’ve noticed how this unlimited access can easily slide into excess. Do I really need a glass of Champagne while going to an ice cream shop opening? Do I really need a midday cocktail because the media event is at noon? And do I really need to go three drinks deep on Monday just because it's a speakeasy? (The answer to all of these questions is “no.”)  This balancing act between my profession and the industry I cover is one that I’ve walked since I started working as a food writer almost nine years ago. Back in my twenties, drinking throughout the week, and going even harder to the weekends, was the norm given my profession and my age. But as I am nearing my mid-30s and looking back on

Union Square Hospitality founder and famed restauranteur Danny Meyer is the first to admit he had never been to The View, New York’s only rotating restaurant, in its heyday (if you could include the all-you-can-eat tourist buffet trap that it once was a “heyday”). Opened in 1985, the rotating restaurant inside the Marriott Marquis was one of the few relics of the past, following the 1960s trend of rotating restaurants. Yet, it quickly fell out of New Yorkers’ rotation, becoming a favorite to visitors and kids on field trips. Taking on the project to revive it in the fall of 2024, Meyer’s goal for the bi-level restaurant was to capture the energy of the neighborhood while making it a destination where tourists and New Yorkers alike would plan a visit.   RECOMMENDED: The 11 best restaurants in Times Square Photograph: Jason Varney Photograph: Jason Varney After a few months of construction and as of February 12, The View is spinning once again. Rocketing up to the 48th floor, a night at The View begins with cocktails among the skyscrapers. Cloaked in blue velvet, the cocktail lounge features a series of velvet couches, plush chairs and wooden tables for conversing over. Stay for a spin and you’ll see a 10-seater bar with a massive globe dangling above it, a nook saved for musicians and keyboardists for nightly live music and a marble raw bar laden with lobster, oysters and shrimp. And if you ever need to orient yourself, the drink coaster lays out a map of all the buildin

We think we’ve given you plenty of ways to celebrate your sweetie for Valentine’s Day. We have a whole guide dedicated to Valentine’s Day, complete with date ideas, things to do, top dinner spots and the best flower delivery services in the city. Heck, we’ve even given you a few ideas based on your relationship status, from single to situationship to soulmate. But here you are, reading this article, flowerless and reservation-less. But here at Time Out, we listen and we don’t judge. So this is your last chance to book restaurants for Valentine’s Day. Book wisely! Photography: courtesy Aquavit| Semla Last chance to book restaurants for Valentine’s Day Aquavit Who says you have to spend Valentine’s Day over dinner? Aquavit has a few daytime reservations left for the most romantic day of the year. Reserve Emma Bengtsson’s four-course tasting menu, and you can tack on an optional wine pairing.  Cost: $195 per person; wine pairing for $155 per person More to love: For extra decadence, put in an order of heart-shaped Semla, a cardamom-scented Swedish bun, on the way out.   Cosme Enrique Olvera’s contemporary Mexican restaurant still has a few spots left for dinner. He’s whipped up a few specialties for the day, namely Duck Breast with a rose mole and Esquites elevated with black truffle.  Cost: A la carte More to love: Spoon up something special by ordering the Chocolate + Strawberry Sundae for dessert. Scarpetta This NoMad restaurant for all things fine and Italian is offering

Back in 2020, Time Out named Bedford-Stuyvesant as the fourth coolest neighborhood in the world. Surveyed by our readers at large, Bed-Stuy received the designation for its up-and-coming eateries, neighborhood bars and its roots in community and activism. Beyond notable figures who claim Bed-Stuy as a home, including Shirley Chisholm, Jay-Z and Chris Rock, the neighborhood has a longstanding history for Black Americans, including its status as one of the earliest free Black communities in the U.S. Today, the neighborhood remains a hub for the culture with stores, restaurants and bars to explore.  Looking to plan your visit? Here's how to spend a day in Black-owned Brooklyn: RECOMMENDED: The best black-owned restaurants in NYC right now Grab a coffee or a smoothie at BKLYN Blend While I am more of a coffee drinker in the AM, a morning smoothie has never done me wrong. With the tagline “Serving Our Communities Nutrition with Kindness,” the Brooklyn shop has a full menu of shakes and smoothies to set you right, all with familiar names like the “Prospect Park Power” and the banana and oat-forward “Church Ave Special.” The Navy Yard Tuna Steak Sandwich with a turmeric-tinged bun is a nice meal for a sit down lunch or, if you are on the go, they always have a few patties near the register.  Take a lap at Herbert Von King Park A five minute walk away from BKLYN Blend is Herbert Von King Park. The park draws its name from community organizer Herbert Von King, once known as “Mayor of

By the end of the 19th century, women were being put to work. Due to the growth of manufacturing and industry, there was an increase in demand for female labor in factories and mills as well as white collar jobs, including clerks, secretaries and stenographers. However, as women relocated to major cities to find work, including New York City, they were quickly met with high rents and the societal rejection of an unaccompanied, unmarried woman traveling alone. Simply put, these women needed a place to stay.  Enter the Margaret Louisa Home for Protestant Women. In 1891, heiress and philanthropist Margaret Louisa Vanderbilt founded the six-story home in Union Square to house such self-sufficient working women. As of last year, the building has now been converted to the luxury hotel and exclusive members club import from London, The Twenty Two. Still under construction at the time, the coming ground floor restaurant was always slated to be open to all. Carrying on the legacy of this historic home, the restaurant is now open, powered by an award-winning women-led team.  One of our anticipated openings for 2025, Cafe Zaffri opened on February 8. The team behind the Michelin-starred Musket Room and Raf’s lead the charge here, including sisters Jennifer and Nicole Vitagliano, alongside executive chef Mary Attea and executive pastry chef Camari Mick. The menu travels through chef Attea’s Lebanese heritage, on the plate with dips and spreads and Moroccan spiced mains to sumac-dusted an

“Let Me Tell You” is a series of columns from our expert editors about NYC living, including the best things to do, where to eat and drink, and what to see at the theater. They publish each Tuesday so you’re hearing from us each week. Last time, Food & Drink Editor Morgan Carter told us how the sausage got made at this part-butchery, part-class in Prospect Heights.  We’ve finally reached the new year and what better way to celebrate a new you than by finally whittling down that list of restaurants you say want to visit? I get it—the weather outside hurts your face, mine too. But with a slew of classic establishments alongside some of the city’s best participating in Restaurant Week right around the corner, I implore you to dig out that scarf and get exploring.   If that wasn’t enough, a new class of restaurants is set to land this year. So perhaps it’s best to visit at least one restaurant to make room for the new spots coming down the road. From a Caribbean-inspired tasting menu to Dominique Ansel’s latest bakery, here are 11 restaurants I am looking forward to in 2025.    1. Bar Kabawa and KabawaOpening: February  Chef Paul Carmichael was cooking Caribbean at the highest level, albeit in Australia at the now closed Momofuku Seibo, the first Momofuku restaurant outside New York City. Now, the chef is coming back stateside to take over the former Momofuku Ko space in the East Village. His restaurant will showcase his upbringing in Barbados via a tasting menu, but for a more c

For the past decade, Netflix’s Chef’s Table has welcomed viewers into some of the highest-end restaurants around the world. The series explores the lives, driving force and inspirations of chefs and their often critically-acclaimed restaurants. The series has ebbed and flowed in the past few years, spawning spin-offs solely focusing on pizza, barbecue and noodles to finally including women and people of color in the mix. But all in all, the docu-series is about peeling back the curtains, or maybe in this case, the onion, to show how worldwide kitchens operate. And a large facet of the culinary community is giving back. As the Los Angeles community is reeling from the devastating wildfires, Chef’s Table is hosting dinners to help give back.  In January, Chef’s Table announced its “Dinner Series for LA Fire Relief.” Presented by Resy, the event is popping up in various cities, including Chicago, Washington D.C., Savannah, Georgia, Minneapolis and New York, all to support fire relief efforts in Los Angeles. Kicking off in Chicago on February 12, the one-night-only experience with Grant Achatz of Michelin-starred Alinea includes a Q&A with the chef, a cocktail reception at The Aviary, a dinner and a signed cookbook, priced at $725 per ticket. Meanwhile, diners in Washington D.C will get a chance to meet and greet with Osteria Mozza’s Nancy Silverton on February 17 and enjoy a communal dining experience of handmade pasta, wood-grilled seafood and a build-your-own dessert for $300.

Leyenda translates to “legend” in Spanish, and boy, what a legend this Cobble Hill cocktail bar has been. For 10 years, Ivy Mix’s and Julie Reiner’s Pan-Latin bar has mixed up cocktails and spirits found South of the Border. Beyond its various awards from The World’s 50’s Best Bars, the James Beard Foundation and Tales of the Cocktail, Leyenda truly found a place among locals and was consistently listed as one of the city's best bars. Which is why our collective hearts dropped when Leyenda announced it was coming to a close.  View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ivy Mix (@ivymix) As announced in an Instagram post, Leyenda will be closing its doors by the end of March. Co-owner Ivy Mix thanked the community that has supported them for the last 10 years.  “I cannot express fully what Leyenda, our staff and our community has meant to me,” she said in an Instagram post. “This is my family. Leyenda was my dream and living that dream the last decade has been, well a dream. Latin American spirits are my passion, and to open a chapel that celebrates them has been my crowning achievement in my career.” Co-owner Julie Reiner made a separate Instagram post, applauding that Leyenda made it 10 years, which only less than 1% of bars accomplish. However, she knew it was time for the next chapter, stating: “As hard as it was to make this call, we know that it is the right decision at this time.” However, this will not be the last we hear from Leyenda. According to